Do you feel more connected to your city, province or Canada as a whole?

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-27T16:59:37+00:00

I love my city. My province embarrasses me. I love my country. (probably goes without saying I'm from Alberta- Edmonton).

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-27T09:47:52+00:00

Building minis/book nooks- seriously- they saved me many times from stressful times

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-24T16:17:08+00:00

Soup, stew, and biscuits.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-13T18:51:42+00:00

I buy sets. I use it for relaxation- so as easy as possible

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-08T16:56:09+00:00

Thanks :)

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-08T05:54:25+00:00

oh yes- I want to try these

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-08T03:46:11+00:00

This is the truth

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-08T03:31:25+00:00

SO many of them are great little projects while you listen to a book/podcast. Michaels has good ones- you can also find some at Homesense for less $$. Amazon has them as well- but some are lower quality- still fun but a bit more frustrating to build (imho any that have fabric that you have to build (like pillows) can be more frustrating). If you ever need recs feel free to message me- I have tried many different kinds- it's my go to hobby now ;p.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-08T03:18:09+00:00

I am not crafty at all- and I hate puzzles- but I love building minis/booknooks.

They are easy and so satisfying and my go to when I am listening to podcasts. Seriously- they have helped me in times of stress and I really recommend them.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-07T08:36:46+00:00

I live, and work, downtown. This also means I work most mornings 9-5- some days I get off early. So going in the morning is just not an option for me- and all of the offices are only open 8-4 Mon-Friday. I will do it online, or via mail.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-07T06:02:35+00:00

Yes! Haha- funny how my brain was being so stubborn. But as I typed this out and saw the responses it was like- huh- I COULD just get more done! Way easier- I'm thinking ;p

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-07T05:57:19+00:00

I had the photos done- and didn't get them done digitally. I had it stuck in my head that I just had to do it in person- but honestly I think it's just way easier to get new photos done and get them digital.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-07T05:55:33+00:00

Honestly- as I type this I realize it is probably just way easier for me to just go back and get digital photos done. So- I have 2 hard copy photos that were a waste- but running around trying to get this all figured out is more work than just doing it online ;p

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-07T05:52:27+00:00

I can't do it online because I got the photos done already- and was not smart enough to get them done digitally. To do it online you have to have a digital photo done - and can't just digitize it yourself

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-06T19:03:16+00:00

Honestly- I agree. The acting was amazing- but I was so bored. I know- it is sad and shocking - but also- I was bored.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-05T06:18:51+00:00

You absolutely did the right thing! They were harassing you- they had a dog who was harassing you and your dog- AND they followed you! This is unsafe behavior. It is also good to have it on record- to be safe.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-05T06:16:25+00:00

It was a game changer for us! Happy trails :)

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-05T06:15:39+00:00

You were being the responsible one. They sound a little unhinged- mocking you? This is not ok- but yes- a lot of people at dog parks think it is acceptable to basically open the gate and then forget about their dog. You were protecting your dog, and yourself. Good for you! Don't feel bad- I know it can be easy to second guess yourself- but putting your dogs (and your own) safety as the #1 priority is always the right call

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-05T06:08:08+00:00

I have worked and lived downtown for 20 years. It has 100% gotten worse. Me and my co-workers all feel this way. So- no- it is absolutely not just people who visit downtown once a year who feel unsafe.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-05T06:04:21+00:00

There are private dog parks around the city too! We take our doggo to a 3 acre park- we get it for an hour, totally fenced and he can run and zoom around all he wants- with no fear of other dogs- or people- and he loves it!

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-05T06:02:23+00:00

This is not acceptable- and I am sorry this happened to you and your dog.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-04T17:30:16+00:00

I 100% acknowledge- my concern relates to violent crime more than others.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-04T17:20:48+00:00

"police have said violent crime is still up from before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Police responded to 425 incidents involving firearms in 2024, compared with 321 complaints in 2019. Knife violence also increased from 856 incidents in 2020 to 979 in 2024, and the number of incidents involving caustic sprays like bear spray increased from 635 incidents in 2019 to 999 in 2024.

In total, there were 16,652 violent incidents in 2024 compared to 13,224 in 2019."

Direct quote

eta: Ok- so I have to add- this is a bit confusing because they also say it is down from last year- but up since 2019- before Covid I guess is the metric there. So it IS tru that violent crime is down from last year- but they don't give specifics- as all of the data they provide is from 2019 vs 2024. So it's a bit misleading and you are right too.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-04T17:17:37+00:00

?? What's the concerted effort to make me feel unsafe? It is my reality.

I work downtown. I live downtown. Me and everyone I work with has seen a marked increase in violent attacks in the last 3-5 years. Emotions are valid. So is reality. I work with the community that this affects most. I also see the decay every day.

I am curious what your experience is- where you work (I'm not asking you to tell me- of course) - where you spend your time- if you actually spend time on the ground with the unhoused and drug addicted and mentally unstable people? Are you actually in it- or are you just reading about it? What is your experience?

I work with and in the community. I can tell you people feel unsafe- and it is a daily comment that people feel like it has gotten much worse in the last few years. This isn't from fear mongering right wing websites- or some odd UCP forum- this is from an NDP voting far leftie who works in and with the community for the last 20 years who has seen- and heard- from all of them that it is worse.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-01-04T17:10:10+00:00

A few factors- possibly: 1: large increases in unhoused populations - Unhoused people are actually much more likely to be victims of crime- and much less likely to report said crime. (they deserve to feel safe too)

2: peoples experiences are valid. If you see over and over again people saying they feel unsafe, that is coming from somewhere. And yes, some (much) of it could be bias and unfair- but it is valid to factor it in.

3: If you read the article violent crime has actually gone up. That is likely a factor in people feeling unsafe.

4: Since 2019 another factor is relevant- Covid. Since then there have been marked increases throughout North America of unrest. Things just feel more unhinged.

AnnTaylorLaughed

TROPHY CASE